Annual Report 2017-18 Destination Port Stephens
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PORT STEPHENS TOURISM LTD. Annual Report 2017-18 Destination Port Stephens Port Stephens Tourism Limited, operating as Destination Port OUR ROLE Stephens (DPS), is a non-profit, incorporated body supported Destination Port Stephens is responsible for developing and by Port Stephens Council (PSC), owned by members and implementing strategies to grow the local visitor economy. Our autonomously managed by a board of nine industry representatives. particular focus is on working with our members to undertake We conduct activities on behalf of our members; for the marketing programs betterment of the region as a destination; to stimulate the local The services delivered by Destination Port Stephens include: economy and ultimately provide the lifestyle benefits we have • Co-operative marketing programs grown to love. • Destination and event marketing Funding for DPS marketing activities is sourced primarily from the annual investment from PSC and other strategic partners • Event leverage activities plus hard-won grants but ultimately, it is up to industry – the • Strategic partnerships to increase the promotion of Port Stephens members – to support the organisation that, in the main, is • Publicity programs responsible for the success of the visitor economy. • Visitor online information and social media engagement The value of the contribution made by tourism to Port • Product development advisory service Stephens is undeniable and by working with industry stakeholders, we can undertake a wide range of activities • Visual resources - footage and photography to increase the profile and visitation to Port Stephens in • Market statistics and insights key domestic and international markets. 01 Report from the Chairman 2 Contents 02 Report from the CEO 3 03 Board of Directors 4 04 Key Performance Indications 7 05 Key Achievements 10 06 Director’s Report 16 07 Auditor’s Independence Declaration 17 08 Profit & Loss 18 09 Balance Sheet 19 10 Statement of Changes in Equity 20 11 Statement of Cashflows 21 12 Notes to the Financial Statements 22 13 Directors Declaration 24 14 Independent Auditor’s Report 25 15 Financial Members 27 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 01 Report from Andrew Macdonald Chairman of Destination Port Stephens The past year has seen fantastic overall growth in visitation to the Port Stephens region. This is a great result for the members of Destination Port Recently the NSW Government released the Visitor Economy Stephens (DPS), and it comes thanks to the hard work that Industry Action Plan 2030 (VEIAP) which sets an aggressive our tourism businesses provide day after day in delivering new target of $55 billion in overnight visitor expenditure for the memorable experiences for our visitors. The hard work on State by 2030. For the first time, they have also created a regional the ground running our businesses is complemented by the NSW target of $20 billion by 2020 and $25 billion by 2030. There great job of destination marketing conducted by the small are six focus areas which includes supporting regional decisions team at DPS. and backing Regional NSW. This will mean that there is potential We have had a year of change, with our new CEO Eileen for financial support from government to grow regional tourism, Gilliland arriving early this year to take over the running of DPS. and DPS will be working closely with DNSW to achieve these Eileen has vast experience in the industry for us to utilise, and growth numbers for Port Stephens. she has brought a new approach to the management of DPS I would like to thank the members of DPS for their support and its destination marketing, that is already showing great over the past year, the volunteer board directors who give up results. their time each month to contribute to the success of DPS, Port During the year the DPS board has undertaken a strategic Stephens Council who have yet again been amazing supporters planning review, and we have recently released a new three- of the tourism industry, and finally the hard working team at DPS year strategic plan for Destination Port Stephens. The aim of who do so much each and every week! the strategic plan is to focus the organisation on several key priorities, rather than trying to do everything at once. For a successful future and to deliver on the strategic plan we need to market the region in partnership with our members, Port Stephens Council, corporate partners and larger tourism bodies such as Destination NSW (DNSW). Over the next couple of months, we will be presenting to our partners some exciting marketing campaign plans and opportunities, and I am certain they will receive great support. Andrew Macdonald 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 02 Report from Eileen Gilliland CEO of Destination Port Stephens Over the past twelve months, visitation to Port Stephens increased by 19% to reach almost 1.6 million visitors who stayed 2.3 million nights. Domestic overnight visitors to Port Stephens increased by 7.4%, day trip visitors by 32% and international overnight visitors by 16%. Since joining Destination Port Stephens (DPS) in mid-February visitor economy. I would also like to acknowledge the board 2018, I have received a warm welcome and support from industry for their guidance in steering Destination Port Stephens and stakeholders. for the support that they have provided to me since joining the organisation. Tourism is a key industry in Port Stephens and contributes an estimated $539 million to the local visitor economy, that is almost THE YEAR AHEAD $1.5 million a day. Tourism is highly competitive and to continue to grow the visitor In 2017/18, DPS has promoted the destination and members via a economy, it is imperative that DPS work in partnership with range of channels in the domestic market including digital, social the local tourism industry, Port Stephens Council, Destination media, publicity and in partnership programs with TripAdvisor NSW, government agencies and Newcastle Airport to reach full and Australian Traveller. In the international market, DPS has potential. participated in trade events, hosted more than 30 international The opening of Bannisters Port Stephens and Rick Stein media and 200 travel agents on familiarisation visits to Port restaurant in September 2018 and the announcement of Stephens and has assisted operators to be export ready. seasonal international services from Auckland to Newcastle DPS works closely with Newcastle Airport to provide support to commencing later this year (November 18-February 19) will have secure new services and leverage opportunities to promote travel a positive impact on the tourism sector in Port Stephens. In June to our destination as increasing aviation capacity will contribute 2018, the NSW Government announced $7 million to develop the to growth in interstate and international visitors. In March 2018, Tomaree Coastal Walk which will be delivered over four years new services commenced from Adelaide to Newcastle and the with completion in 2022. airport completed the international processing facility in late DPS will focus on markets that offer the greatest potential to 2017 delivering the infrastructure to secure international services drive growth in terms of visitation and expenditure and will to the region. provide opportunities for industry to partner, to collectively Congratulations to the local tourism operators who secured promote travel to Port Stephens and drive increased visitation. the largest incentive group to visit Port Stephens in May 2018. The future looks promising and I look forward to working Over six days, 6,000 visitors from China and Taiwan were in with our members and stakeholders to showcase our diverse Port Stephens as part of the Jeunesse Lifestyle Rewards 2018 neighbourhoods and the quality tourism products and which was highly successful. The flow on benefits from this experiences to further grow the visitor economy and make Port group will be significant and have a positive impact promoting Stephens one of Australia’s most successful regional tourism the destination via social media and personal recommendations destinations. which are strong drivers to attract visitation. I would like to thank the team at Destination Port Stephens, Port Stephens Council and our members for their professionalism and commitment to driving results for the Port Stephens Eileen Gilliland 3 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 03 Board of Directors Port Stephens Tourism Limited Board 2017-18 The board of Destination Port Stephens consists of nine Directors. Five positions are open to all members of the organisation. These positions are held for a period of two years and are contested at the Annual General Meeting. Two positions are appointed for a period of two years and two positions are retained for Port Stephens Council Executive Staff. ANDREW MACDONALD Meetings Held as Director 11 | Meetings Attended as Director 9 Hotel Nelson & Little Nel Café Andrew Macdonald has been a director of Destination Port General Manager of Operations for Best Western Hotels Stephens for the past seven years including the past two years overseeing over 250 hotels and motels. Prior to this he spent 10 as chairman. years working in several hotel chains in sales and marketing and front of house roles. Andrew is co-owner and operator of both the Hotel Nelson and the Little Nel Café and has operated these businesses for the Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business in Tourism and a Masters past six years. Before going into business Andrew was National in Marketing from the University of Newcastle. MICHAEL AYLMER Meetings Held as Director 11 | Meetings Attended as Director 8 Place Property Management Port Stephens Michael has lived in the Port Stephens (Nelson Bay) area since Michael has been a long-term supporter of the tourism industry 1975. With a background in management accounting and in Port Stephens and was on the board of the local Tourist small business, Michael started Nelson Bay Real Estate in July Association from the late 1980’s for three years and re-joined 1980.